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Bald Eagle boys soccer edges out Belleville, 1-0, in defensive slugfest

By KENNY VARNER 3 min read

WINGATE – Two teams with similar styles of play met up Thursday at Bald Eagle Area's Alumni Stadium as the Eagles hosted the Thunder of Belleville Christian.

It would be a strong defensive effort for both teams as just one goal was scored in the entire contest. The goal would come in the first half for the Eagles, as they took home their first win by a score of 1-0.

Jacob Kovalev scored off of a Kyle Uberti pass and was able to light it up for the lone goal. He scored an 18:30 mark.

"It was a beautiful in, out, in, out, and he just slid past the keeper," said Bald Eagle Area boys soccer head coach Jason Bair. “I also thought we had a nice defense. They played fantastic tonight. They did a good job.”

With the win, the Eagles improve to 1-0-1 on the season.

That would be the only score they would need as their defense took over in the second half.

Belleville played tough as three of their shots in the game hit the horizontal bar of the goal.

But shining through was the play of Bald Eagle goalie Tanner Pearce and his backline mates.

However, it would be the Thunder that would put the pressure on their opponent’s back-third finishing with 14 shots on goal. Bald Eagle Area was only limited to six.

"They withstood the pressure and didn’t break. And when you have an inexperienced defense, which we do right now, they’re gaining a lot of experience in two games," said Bair.

"But they’re getting better with each game, and that’s all I’m looking for. Belleville definitely flooded the midfield, which made our midfield play really a mess. So, trying to get the ball out of the midfield and get the ball up was the key for us to help us in that second half."

Despite the offensive pressure that the Thunder provided, the Eagles refused to give up a goal.

In the second, Landon Rhodes gave the Eagle fans a fright as he got positioned in front of the Bald Eagle Area goal and bounced a header off the crossbar and out of bounds.

Belleville was relentless in their attack in the second half and pushed things deep into Eagles territory. But each time Bald Eagle was up for the challenge whether it was a save or a back fielder clearing the ball out to stop the immediate threat.

What started in the first half as a nail biter continued on throughout the contest.

But defense is what wins championships and on this night, the Eagles had what it took to live up to the challenge.

Bald Eagle Area plays Tuesday against Westmont Hilltop at Westmont Hilltop.

Bald Eagle Area 1, Belleville Christian 0

BEA – Jacob Kovalev (Kyle Uberti), 18:30.

Shots on goal: BEA – 7. BC – 13.

Corners: BEA – 4, BC – 2.

Saves: Tanner Pearce (BEA) 5. Gage Geissinger (BCA) 1.

Starting at /week.